Fossil Falls Campground
BLM
Write a Review U.S. 395 Little Lake, CA 93542 760-384-5400 Official WebsiteGPS: 35.9763, -117.9139
Overview of Fossil Falls Campground
Last Price Paid: $6
Reported by camper-895390 on 1/3/2024
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Livin the Dream on 11/6/2020
Number of Sites 11
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 3,313 ft / 1,009 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
Unlock pro campendium features
Featured Video by Travel Small Live Big
Q&A - Ask the Community about Fossil Falls Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 760-384-5400
LAFalcon asked on 10/18/2021
Is Fossil Falls Campground open year-round? Winter months? Thanks!
Reviews of Fossil Falls Campground 22 people have reviewed this location.
“Cheap, Fun Dry Camping in a Lava Field”
Reviewed 6/18/2017
Nightly rate: | $6 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 8 |
RV Length: | 30' |
We came to Fossil Falls just wanting to try out some BLM land in California. We first thought we'd stay for 3 days but ended up staying for 8. That's when we needed to dump, or else we may have stayed longer and there is no dump station. It's a really simple campground. The sites are just open areas between the mounds of lava roc... more
We came to Fossil Falls just wanting to try out some BLM land in California. We first thought we'd stay for 3 days but ended up staying for 8. That's when we needed to dump, or else we may have stayed longer and there is no dump station.
It's a really simple campground. The sites are just open areas between the mounds of lava rocks with a picnic table and a fire ring. There's one vault toilet that was quite clean. And there is a water pump, though good luck to you trying to utilize it. It is an old-fashioned hand pump, so you get a workout. The wind also tends to blow the water that comes out so that little of it ends up in your water jug. If they would just put up a windbreak wall just to the west of it, it might work better.
But, the reason we liked it was the environment. The lava rocks everywhere are just so cool. The campsites are fairly private. Our kids got to run around and climb on the rocks. One of the days we took the hike down to the falls that starts at the day-use parking lot. It's a short hike to the dry riverbed where the falls used to be in the last ice age. Then it drops down into a deep gorge. From there you can hike either side. The far side will take you up a ridge where you have quite a view over the lava bed. On the near side you can find a path down to where the gorge is shallower all the way down to the dry river itself. It's a great hike with lots of great views and photo chances.
There's also a drive back to a high viewpoint over Little Lake, with a view information signs about the lake, the lava flows, and petroglyphs that can be found in the area.
The wind can get strong here if there's a storm. Also, be careful about the trails. They are BUMPY and could cause some tire problems if you're not careful. And not all the campsites are for RVs. There's a board by the fee station that lists which sites are for tents and which for RVs.
We loved staying here and we'll stay again. The Eastern Sierras are great for camping, and Fossil Falls makes a great start if you want to make your way north from there. Ridgecrest is about 30 minutes south for groceries and laundry. There is a rest stop about 5 miles north with dumpsters, so you don't have to cart your trash all the way to Ridgecrest.
Hitched Sweet Home would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Camping in a lava field”
Reviewed 3/14/2016
Nightly rate: | $6 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 14 |
Site Number: | 8 |
RV Length: | 26' |
We stayed here since it was close to Death Valley National Park and cheap, but it offers way more than that. The scenery is beautiful, with snow capped Sierra Nevada Mountains on one side and lava rocks on the other. There is some kind of an active mine right next to it and you see trucks entering and leaving, but nothing that would be... more
We stayed here since it was close to Death Valley National Park and cheap, but it offers way more than that. The scenery is beautiful, with snow capped Sierra Nevada Mountains on one side and lava rocks on the other. There is some kind of an active mine right next to it and you see trucks entering and leaving, but nothing that would be bothersome. No noise disturbance whatsoever.
There are a few hikes, but we only hiked to the top of the fossil falls (something I've never seen before). For the kids just wandering around the campground was adventure enough, with tons of wildflowers, lava rocks and even some petrified wood. It's within 45 minutes of Ridgecrest (Walmart, Albertsons) or Lone Pine (Alabama Hills).
The nightly rate is okayish, you get a nice big and private spot with fire ring. However, the water pump doesn't really work that well (takes about 20 minutes and a good workout to fill a canister). We didn't try the public restrooms.
If you end up staying in sites 5 or 8 (perfect if traveling in pairs) be prepared for people randomly pulling up into your campsite because the street is kinda confusing. Also, if traveling in a big RV consider driving in the wrong way and take one of the last sites to avoid the bumpy campground road.
remember to explore would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Be the first to add a note for Fossil Falls Campground!
Land Cruising Adventure: Fossil Falls | BLM Campground | California
This is a small campground right off Route 395 in the Eastern Sierra Mountains in California. Volcanic rock and typical desert flora make up the scenery, as well as the mountains off in the dist...
Log-in - Campendium - Campendium
Start typing... - City, State or Zip Code - National Park, National Forest, State Park - Campground Name Use My Location
BlaNicS Waypoints: Getaway to the Gateway...Fossil Falls
“The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyong reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ev...
Contact us to update this listing.
Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
Coso Junction Rest Area
There is no water available here. Spigots are all turned off.
- camper-785182
Please select a reason for flagging this item: